I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!

Hello, blog-readers! It has been far too long.

To make a long story short, the summer got very interesting after July 16, with trips to California and Philadelphia. . . I won't go into specifics, but just this: if you are about to meet your idol, try not to shake so much beforehand, so that after you've shook his hand, you can at least remember something you told him.

Moving on.

To celebrate my sixtieth post -- and a celebration for my returning to the Movie Experiment -- allow me to share with you all the first-ever trailer for the Green Lantern!!!!!!! Starring People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, Ryan Reynolds!!!!!!!!!

Check back later for some updates, including:

This Year's Oscars coverage, including Best Picture contenders

The Tourist

Blog-postings aimed at individual topics and actors, including: Natalie Portman, Tom Hardy, The Great Gatsby, Rooney Mara, Cowboys & Aliens, and more!

--Claire

Tomorrow Is It!

I'm seeing Inception tomorrow at 2:45 p.m., catching the last matinee showing.

And I'm so excited!

What previews will I see beforehand? Trust me, I'll let you all know!

So. . . since I don't know anything about this movie, here is a list of questions that I'm hoping it will answer (and I'm sure they'll be answered, but still): Answers I'm Dying To Know:

1. What role does Ken Watanabe play? Marion Cotillard?

2. How does Leonardo DiCaprio know Ellen Page? She's like 20, he's like 35. Are they coworkers? Friends? Relatives? Because I cannot accept the possibility that they date.

3. Why are they all in suits?

4. Is Joseph Gordon-Levitt a bad guy? (I shudder to think!)

5. What does Inception mean, anyway?

6. Is Leonardo DiCaprio a bad guy? (Because that would be interesting.)

7. Why are the buildings collapsing?

8. What is it all about, anyway?

And here is something else that I find WAY interesting:

August 16, 2009: Go to see (500) Days Of Summer starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt

July 16, 2010: Go to see Inception, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Um, is this not abso-freakin'-lutely the craziest thing ever? If Inception is good (which, how can it NOT be?) then I am proclaiming JGL to be the next big summer star.

AND one more thing:

Inception

The Dark Knight

The Prestige

Memento

Following

All Christopher Nolan movies, all 3 syllables! Cool, right? And those are like, 5 out of 7 films of his (Insomnia and Batman Begins).

Can't wait! This has been by far, one of the longest weeks of my life.

Casting News

Not really, but whatever. (I am honestly too excited for Inception this Friday to write a respectable posting. . .)

So Edward Norton won't be the new Hulk. Guess who might be?

Mark Ruffalo!

I was once going to devote an entire posting on how much I love Mark Ruffalo and how universally likeable the guy is. I don't know why I never did it. Maybe I will now?

I think I would see him as the Hulk. I think it's a little too soon, but if push comes to shove I might go see Mr. Ruffalo as Bruce Banner (that is the guy's name, right?). What do you guys think?

In other casting news, Tom Cruise (or his people, at least) have confirmed that he's up to playing Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible IV.

Um, is Tom Cruise even relevant anymore? How many people went and saw Knight & Day? Am I the only one who thinks it's time he tried a different profession? And he can keep it in Hollywood, too -- I think it's about time the man tried directing something. Enough with being on camera; I'd like to see him off it.

So that's my casting news. And Spencer Pratt somehow wound up near the Inception premiere last night while The Hills after-party was going on. . . I can't wait!!!

Question of the night: Should I see the midnight viewing of Inception, or wait like most normal people and see it as regularly scheduled, on Friday? Thoughts?!

Edward Norton. . .

So they've made an announcement that Edward Norton will not be playing the Hulk in the Avengers movie. You know, the one with everybody.

Frankly this kind of annoys me. Like, you sign up to play a pretty popular/at least, well-known superhero in comic-book world and then you drop him like a hot potato. Maybe I'm taking this too far, but Ed Norton is letting me down! And I like him!

So who's going to play the Hulk? Definitely not Eric Bana. I swear, if they ask him -- or, dreadfully, he says yes -- then it only proves that something is wrong with our planet.

I mean, it was one thing to have Maggie Gyllenhaal to play Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight when Katie Holmes played her in Batman Begins. The news of the casting aggravated me, yes, but once I saw the movie I was like, Okay. This'll work. She's not Batman; she's a love interest. Fine.

But Norton is the Hulk! (Frankly, I can't remember if that movie got any good reviews, but Norton's a fine actor and I personally like it when "serious" thespians take on roles that usually go to less-than-serious actors.) He redefined the role! The role, the character, of a man who turns into a green giant could be cliche, stupid, and altogether campy, but somehow he pulled it off. I took it seriously.

So what does this mean for the Hulk franchise? EW.com is compiling a list of "potential" Hulks -- I didn't click on the link, but beside the headline is a small picture of Matthew Fox. I don't know. Maybe.

How does anyone else feel about this? I think Sam Worthington would make a good Hulk -- but he's been in so many big budget movies (so quickly for his career, too) that I think it would be more beneficial for his career if he started doing more indie films. Anyway.

So, any more Hulk potentials? Joss Whedon is writing the Avengers movie -- maybe if he handpicks someone I'll feel better. Because I trust Mr. Whedon (see: Firefly, Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog).

The Hills series finale tonight! Inception is only a few days away! Can't wait!

Summertime Movies!

Well, folks, I picked up the newspaper today and read yet another thing about Inception. So this means absolutely NO Entertainment Weekly for actual movie business-related posts.

I know, I'm sad, too. But by now I am forming a very general (I repeat, it's very loose, but still) idea about what the movie is about, and although I still don't know I really need to watch what websites I go to.

So, here's my idea: Summer is the best time for movies. Why?

Because they're on all the time. And I'm not just talking pay-for-theater-movies. I am talking about regular TV.

When I was younger one summer I started writing this letter to a friend I had lost touch with, telling her all about the movies I got to see. There were like 30 of them and it was all in the summer! I am telling you, summer has got to be the best season ever.

So how many movies do you think you have seen so far, blog-readers? And these can be movies you've already seen. If you ask me, I'm going to say around 30 -- 40?

Emmys!

So, I think I'll do my commentary by category. First up: Outstanding Drama Series!

What's up with snubbing Grey's Anatomy? The two-hour finale is one of the finest two hours of television I have ever seen. Months later and still, just thinking about it gives me shivers. Still, I'm glad to see Lost is there -- it's got my vote! I think it's going to win. And really, what a bittersweet way to end the six-season long show.

As for actor and actress, still no Grey's, but I would've bet a nickel for Timothy Olyphant's name on the list for Justified. So many people liked him in that! But MATTHEW FOX -- again, I'm rooting for Lost all the way. Actress. . . don't really care, I don't watch any of those shows.

Supporting Actor and Actress -- so glad to see more Lost action, but again, I don't watch any of the Supporting Actress shows! If anything, I'd put my money on Elisabeth Moss or Christine Baranski. . . I don't know. Moving on.

Outstanding Guest Actor/Actress: I'm saying it right now. John Lithgow and Elizabeth Mitchell. Since I (regrettably) tuned in to some of Lost's final episodes I know what's going on with Mitchell's Juliet (don't know about the actual finale, though) and from what I've heard about Lithgow's character on Dexter (nothing good. . . about his character, but plenty of rave reviews) I'm putting my money on those two.

Normally in the Outstanding Comedy 30 Rock takes everything, and so I'm wondering if Glee is up to the challenge this year. Modern Family might have a chance, but still, my money is on 30 Rock. Glee is too much a dramady.

That being said, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin for Outstanding Actor; Jane Lynch and Neil Patrick Harris for Supporting. I'm so glad to not see Jeremy Piven in this category; I used to think if he never won, it'd go to NPH. So I'm hoping it's his year!

Now, the Guest categories. . . I'm going to go with an SNL here, either Tina Fey or Betty White, probably Betty White. And I am ecstatic to see Mike O'Malley on the list (as Kurt's surprisingly understanding father in being okay with his son's sexuality) but again, Glee isn't straightforwardly funny! It has its deep and emotional moments too. Still, I'm rooting wholeheartedly for Mike O'Malley because he makes the show great.

The whole reality stuff I don't honestly care about, but it'd be nice to see Top Chef win something. I also really like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, so as long as either one of those two win, I'll be okay.

But best music! I've never watched the version of Batman, but it's there for a reason, right? Ramin Djawadi has composed for Iron Man, I believe, and also Prison Break (which I loved) but to be honest (and I know I might be ruffling more than just a couple of feathers here. . .) I'm rooting for my man Michael Giacchino. I mean, just listen to this video! (And I mean all the way through.)

Any thoughts? Any more serious snubs left off? I know Entertainment Weekly is upset with the absence of Vanessa L. Williams of Ugly Betty and Courteney Cox of Cougar Town. I think I would have liked to see someone from Chuck, but most of my distress is from no Grey's Anatomy. Unless it premiered too late/early to be considered for nomination, since that can happen sometimes.

So sound off, please!

Mark Your Calendars: August 29

Ladies and gentlemen, yet another important announcement: Emmy nominations are out! (But you've probably already read them already. Still.)

Though the Academy Awards come first in my book, the Emmy Awards are still a big deal. Despite the fact that this post is not about movies, I say you should still read on, because these nominations celebrate the best of the best in shows and miniseries. Here is the list:

Outstanding Drama Series

Lost

Breaking Bad

Dexter

Mad Men

True Blood

The Good Wife

Outstanding Actress in a Drama

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)

Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SUV)

Glenn Close (Damages)

Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

January Jones (Mad Men)

Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

Hugh Laurie (House)

Michael C. Hall (Dexter)

Matthew Fox (Lost)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

Sharon Gless (Burn Notice)

Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)

Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)

Rose Byrne (Damages)

Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)

Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

John Slattery (Mad Men)

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Martin Short (Damages)

Terry O'Quinn (Lost)

Michael Emerson (Lost)

Andre Braugher (Men Of A Certain Age)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama

Beau Bridges (The Closer)

Ted Danson (Damages)

John Lithgow (Dexter)

Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)

Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)

Robert Morse (Mad Men)

Gregory Itzin (24)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama

Mary Kay Place (Big Love)

Sissy Spacek (Big Love)

Shirley Jones (The Closer)

Lily Tomlin (Damages)

Ann-Margaret (Law & Order: SUV)

Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)

Outstanding Comedy

Glee

Modern Family

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Nurse Jackie

30 Rock

The Office

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy

Lea Michele (Glee)

Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Toni Collette (United States of Tara)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)

Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Matthew Morrison (Glee)

Steve Carrell (The Office)

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

Jane Lynch (Glee)

Kristin Wiig (Saturday Night Live)

Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)

Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)

Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Chris Colfer (Glee)

Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)

Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)

Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)

Ty Burrell (Modern Family)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy

Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)

Kristin Chenoweth (Glee)

Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)

Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live)

Betty White (Saturday Night Live)

Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)

Jane Lynch (Two and a Half Men)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy

Mike O'Malley (Glee)

Neil Patrick Harris (Glee)

Fred Willard (Modern Family)

Eli Wallach (Modern Family)

Jon Hamm (30 Rock)

Will Arnett (30 Rock)

Outstanding Reality Show Host

Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)

Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race)

Tom Bergeron (Dancing With The Stars)

Heidi Klum (Project Runway)

Jeff Probst (Survivor)

Outstanding Reality Show Competition

Project Runway

Top Chef

The Amazing Race

Dancing With The Stars

American Idol

Outstanding Reality Program

Antiques Roadshow

Dirty Jobs

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List

Mythbusters

Undercover Boss

Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

The Colbert Report

Real Time with Bill Maher

Saturday Night Live

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

Outstanding Miniseries or Movie

The Pacific (HBO)

Return to Cranford (PBS)

Outstanding TV Movie

Endgame (PBS)

Georgia O'Keefe (Lifetime)

Moonshot (History)

The Special Relationship (HBO)

Temple Grandin (HBO)

You Don't Know Jack (HBO)

Outstanding Music Composition in a Drama

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter, Michael Jelenic, James Tucker)

FlashForward (Ramin Djawadi)

Lost (Michael Giacchino)

Psych (Adam Cohen, John Robert Wood)

24 (Sean P. Callery)

I included the last above category (music) just because I am a music nerd. Of course, there are plenty of other categories I did not include, like best directing, cinematography, hairstyling and makeup. . . but these few kind of round everything together that most viewers find the most important.

My thoughts will be in the next posting, since frankly, I think these are a lot of words to process in just one post!